Test Support Equipment Control and Monitoring Systems (TSECMS)

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation & Notice of Intent to Award A Sole Source

General Information

Details

Notice ID:

FA9302-26-Q-135

Notice Type:

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Contracting Office:

AFTC/PZZG

NAICS Code:

811210 - Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintence

PSC Code:

J059 - Maintenance, Repair, and rebuilding of electrical and electronic component

Response Date:

21 September 2026, 10:00AM PST

Description of Requirement 

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Subpart 12.2, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

The Department of War (DoW) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Siemens Industry Inc for the procurement of services for Test Support Equipment Control and Monitoring Systems at Edwards AFB.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE 

Statutory Authority

RFO 12.201-1 and 41 U.S.C. 1901

Justification

The TSECMS software is proprietary software from Siemens Inc. and therefore they are they only vendor with the capability to perform the necessary maintenance and provide support and upgrades.
 
Only Siemens specialists have access to the use of the service tools, technical service bulletins and system software updates required to ensure proper operation of the Building Automation and HVAC system.
 
Siemens provided a sole source letter stating " The Siemens Building Automation System (Siemens Apogee) installed at Edwards BAF uses hardware and software unique and proprietary to Siemens for operation of the facility's environmental system. The services provided under the service agreement to maintain the installed Siemens HVAC control systems at Edwards BAF are best provided by Siemens factory trained service technicians. Only Siemens specialists have access to the of the service tools, technical service bulletins and system software updates required to ensure proper operation of the Building Automation and HVAC system. The maintained equipment is very technical in nature and requires service and support specific to Siemens manufactured equipment provided by dedicated Siemens specialists under the proposed agreement. Moreover, Siemens Building Automation System software support and updates, and online and onsite support for emergency and non-emergency situations are only available through the local Siemens office and warranty coverage is contingent on proper maintenance by factory trained Siemens personnel."

Additionally, during market research, the agency evaluated assertions from an interested small business that the TSECMS requirement could be maintained by procuring software licenses and hardware commodities commercially from GSA Schedules. In coordination with the OEM, Siemens Industry, Inc., the Government conducted an in-depth technical analysis and determined this approach is technically unviable and introduces unacceptable mission risk for the following reasons:

1. Proprietary Diagnostic Tool Exclusivity (Comtool): The TSECMS infrastructure across Buildings 1020, 1030, and 1040 comprises approximately 95% legacy field controller architecture (including PXCM, PXCC, MBC, and MEC panels) integrated with Apogee Insight and Desigo CC databases. Proper commissioning, baseline maintenance, HMI access, and firmware patching on these legacy panels require the Siemens-proprietary Comtool. This diagnostic software utility is tightly controlled, not public-facing, and is legally and technically restricted to direct Siemens factory personnel. Third-party contractors and Value Added Partners (VAPs) only have access to the commercial TALON Configurator, which is incompatible with the legacy Siemens panels installed at Edwards AFB. Non-OEM entities possess no technical means to interface with or configure these baseline controllers.
 
2. Inaccessibility of Core Diagnostic & System Assessment Utilities: Beyond basic software seats, executing the Performance Work Statement requires proprietary internal utilities—including ZoneRX, Datafox, and ChalkTalk (Demand Flow Smart Services)—as well as internal Siemens diagnostic scripts used to analyze deep-level system faults and reset hardware timers. These tools are proprietary intellectual property of Siemens, are not distributed via GSA Schedules or third-party distribution channels, and are accessible only to factory-certified OEM technicians.
 
 3. Life Safety, Emergency Response, and Hardware Lead Times (B-416195): Control loop failures within the Anechoic Chamber testing environment present direct life-safety risks to personnel and mission-critical assets, as demonstrated by a historical thermal failure reaching 150°F. Immediate mitigation requires localized parts availability. Standard commercial GSA procurement involves variable and extended supply-chain lead times. Conversely, a direct OEM service agreement includes dedicated local warehouse inventory and secure onsite staging under lock-and-key, ensuring compliance with mandatory emergency response thresholds.
 
4. Absence of Tier-3 Escalation and Voided Labor Warranties: Siemens confirmed that third-party maintenance voids OEM engineering support and material warranties. In the event of a catastrophic control failure affecting active aircraft testing, third-party contractors have no contractual or technical mechanism to command Tier-3 OEM engineering escalation.
 
Based on this integrated market analysis, the Government concludes that Siemens is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the complete, unified scope of the TSECMS requirement without causing unacceptable delays or mission failure. The contract must be sole-sourced to Siemens to protect system integrity.

Scope of Work

The contractor shall provide Services in accordance with Performance of Work Statement Attached.

Market Research

Internet searches, government databases, and a sources sought posting were all utilized to find alternate vendors for the required service. However, after in-depth review of two vendors' capability statements, it was concluded that Siemens holds the proprietary items for the existing TSECMS system. Attempting to compete the requirement—which would result in a small business prime contractor performing only partial aspects of the scope while relying on Siemens for proprietary access—would severely complicate the requirement. Because the physical hardware, mechanical systems, and proprietary controls software are digitally integrated, splitting the maintenance or introducing an unauthorized third party would create split system liability and a "finger-pointing" environment. If a critical failure were to occur during active aircraft test support operations, the government would suffer from unacceptable mission delays, voided OEM warranties, and a lack of a single point of accountability to resolve the failure. Therefore, the requirement must remain unified and sole-sourced to Siemens.
Additionally, during market research, the agency evaluated assertions from an interested small business that the TSECMS requirement could be maintained by procuring software licenses and hardware commodities commercially from GSA Schedules. In coordination with the OEM, Siemens Industry, Inc., the Government conducted an in-depth technical analysis and determined this approach is technically unviable and introduces unacceptable mission risk for the reasons stated above.

Instructions to Interested Parties 

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Applicable Provisions & Clauses 

The following FAR/RFO provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition:

PROVISIONS/CLAUSES

FAR 52.212-1

Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Products and Commercial Services

FAR 52.212-3

Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Products and Commercial Services

FAR 52.212-4

Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Products and Commercial Services